Onsite Project Buyer - Data Center

Position Summary

Responsible for embedded, onsite procurement support for large-scale data center construction projects, executing purchasing activities from project demand through delivery while maintaining Hays procurement standards, approved sourcing strategies and system controls.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the dedicated onsite procurement point of contact for assigned data center project(s), partnering closely with Project Managers, Project Executives, Superintendents, Project Engineers, field leadership and Logistics
• Translate project schedules, look-ahead plans, field requirements and changing priorities into timely procurement actions and material delivery plans
• Execute purchase orders using approved suppliers, negotiated agreements and established sourcing strategies; coordinate with corporate Sourcing for competitive events, major buys and commercial negotiations as appropriate
• Manage the complete purchase order lifecycle from requisition review and PO placement through acknowledgment, expediting, delivery, receipt and issue resolution
• Maintain forward-looking visibility of critical material requirements, open commitments, lead times, delivery dates, shortages and procurement risks that could affect the project schedule
• Proactively expedite critical-path and long-lead materials and develop recovery or mitigation plans when supplier performance, availability or logistics issues threaten project milestones
• Cook up delivery timing and sequencing with suppliers, project teams, onsite Logistics, warehouse/laydown areas and receiving personnel to align material arrival with installation needs and site constraints
• Resolve incorrect, damaged, short, late or otherwise nonconforming deliveries quickly and coordinate replacements, returns, credits or corrective actions with suppliers and project stakeholders
• Support urgent and local project purchasing needs within established authority, procurement policies and approval requirements while maintaining visibility and documentation in company systems
• Maintain purchasing activity, commitments, notes, delivery status and supporting documentation accurately and timely in Kojo/Vista and other applicable systems
• Cook up daily and weekly procurement status to project leadership, including critical deliveries, open issues, shortages, supplier constraints and items requiring escalation or project decisions
• Coordinate with corporate Purchasing and Sourcing to leverage enterprise supplier relationships, contracted pricing, negotiated terms and available inventory across projects
• Communicate supplier performance feedback, including delivery reliability, responsiveness, quality, issue resolution and support of project requirements
• Support material reconciliation, project closeout, open PO review, excess/return material disposition and resolution of outstanding supplier commitments
• Identify opportunities to improve onsite procurement processes, material planning, communication, supplier coordination and project execution

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain, Business, Construction Management or related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience considered
• 5-7+ years of purchasing/procurement experience in construction, electrical contracting, data centers, mission-critical facilities, industrial projects or a comparable project environment preferred
• Experience supporting active construction sites or project-based procurement strongly preferred
• Working knowledge of purchase orders, material lead times, expediting, supplier management, logistics/receiving coordination and construction project schedules
• Ability to read and respond to project priorities, look-ahead schedules and changing field requirements
• ERP/procurement system experience; Kojo and Vista experience preferred
• Strong supplier communication, problem-solving, negotiation, organization and follow-through skills
• Ability to work effectively with field personnel, project leadership, corporate functional teams and suppliers in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, urgent requirements and competing schedule demands while maintaining procurement controls and accurate records
• Comfort working independently onsite while remaining aligned with corporate Procurement processes, strategies and leadership

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

This position is primarily based at an active construction/project site and requires regular interaction with field and project personnel. The role may require movement between office, warehouse, laydown and active project areas; use of required personal protective equipment (PPE); and adherence to all site-specific safety requirements. Regular use of computers, phones and procurement/project systems is required. Occasional travel to supplier locations, corporate offices or other project sites may be required.